Keppa joga Waterfalls, Siddapura

In mid-January of 2012, myself, Ashok, and Sunil flew to Sirsi and drove to Keppa Joga waterfalls to spend a short 1 day scouting trip to see what Keppa Joga Waterfalls looked like up close and personal. I had already been this place long back, the sparkling waterfalls, the beautiful cliff faces and the picturesque valleys make this a must visit place for nature lovers again and again.

We parked our bikes near to forest gate and walked half kilometers from the parking area and reached the first view tower from here waterfalls looks glorious initially it starts like a small stream and gets widened as it reaches the foot of the falls. The first view of the huge waterfalls made us all scream with joy.

It is a great scene to watch any waterfall in its full glory and this was a tall and huge one. Later we climbed down few steps and got to second view point. After taking in the exhilarating scenery from the second view point we decided to get down immediately next to the view tower which one was steeper and unfathomable. There is a regular route to get to the base throughout thick jungle but this time just for inquisitiveness we decided to get down from second view tower to reach the base.

After few minutes walk we reached one small rocky outcropped view point which took closer to the falls. This viewpoint is deeply hidden in the edge of the rock-strewn hill. From here we had seen the closer view of the falls, huge pond at bottom just one step away. From another side I glimpsed the complete glory of the Valley and the base was clearly visible from that end. The sight is just jaw dropping amazing and quite the daunting feeling.

There was no route to the base of the falls from that point. Even there was no trace for any human activities on further level. The route is steep downhill all the way to the base of the falls, the route is very scenic. The journey itself makes it worth.

It was even tougher to climb down without any guide or proper supporting tools; it was almost like getting down a huge steep rock. At start Ashok took the initiative to find the way to get down safely, at one part he reached edge of the rock was no way I was going to back down now. This was the moment ….and I knew now was time to put all of my previous climbing experience to bear. After searching for few minutes I find the way down edge of the huge rock and I crossed the rock there are two obvious crack lines going down.

Here the hill was still very high and the passage down was steep, difficult enough and no path leads further getting down was not so easy I get down for further downer it was a horrible, pathless, steep climb. I started climb down the right crack but early on seemed caught in a set of impossible moves. It was again very strenuous trying to make moves in a sunny day.

There was a slight gradient and after a short while I came across another small rock pile, less deeper than the last slope After many careful moves, we made it down to the bottom of the waterfalls. It was truly like to approaching to the different and amazing world.

Felt the heaven and tranquility surrounded in the crib of evergreen forests, landscaped valleys, impressive flora and fauna, magnificent pond and natural scenic beauty of the massive waterfalls were situated in a remote and pristine environment. I was overwhelmed with emotion and could not speak. After spending 1 hour on base, taking in the views and more picks, we had to prepare for the ascent.

I couldn’t able to find regular rout after a half mile walk towards river side. At one place we decided to hike through the thick shrubbery jungle. After 30 minutes climbing the forests become very thick and we couldn't able to find any trace of the rout. Majestic bamboo groves, and thick shrubbery forest, as the sunlight faded away the forests became more and darker making us loose our way completely. Some part carrying a rope would have helped but not to be this time.

We kept climbing on and finally made it out of the jungle and arrived at the starting point. We were really getting tired of all the up and downs, so it was time to lighten the mood. We just freshened up near by watercourse and left the place before dark accumulates.

Photos by Rakesh Holla & Ashok hebbar